The game they play online in heaven

The Casualty Ward Rd 8

Returned from Injury into Round 8:

Kieran Read (Crusaders) – A massive return for the All Blacks captain. 66 minutes off the bat helped him produce 1 Try, 12 Runs for 76 metres, 7 Tackle breaks, 2 Offloads, 1 Linebreak, 1 Linebreak Create, 4 Lineout Takes, 2 Tackles for 66 pointsRichie Mo’unga (Crusaders) – Mo’unga didn’t miss a beat making an immediate impact against the chiefs. He played 80minutes for 1 Try Assist, 3/6 Conversions, 8 Runs for 59 Metres, 5 Tackle Busts, 1 Linebreak Create and 6 Tackles (38 points)Jack Goodhue (Crusaders) – 50 minutes, he didn’t quite have the impact of some of his returning team mates. Still managed 2 Try Assists, 5 Runs for 48 Metres, 2 Tackle Busts, 1 Linebreak and 2 Tackles (28 Points)Quade Cooper (Reds) – Cooper was in full flight on his return from suspension for the Reds. He played 70 minutes, had 2 Try Assist, 6/7 Conversions, 5 Runs for 29 metres, 1 Tackle Bust, 2 Offloads, 2 Linebreak Create, 3/4 Tackles. He was also largely responsible for at least 2 more tries (41Points).Sefa Naivalu(Rebels) – Flying Sefa looked back to his best after dislocating his shoulder only a few weeks ago. In an 80minute performance he bagged 1 Try with 6 Runs for 84 metres, 4 Tackle Busts, 2 Linebreaks, 8/10 Tackles (48 Points).Sam Cane (Chiefs) – In his return from Concussion Cane played the full 80 minutes for the Chiefs, making 1 Try Assist, 5 Runs for 22metres, 1 Tackle Busts, 1 Linebreak Create, 1 Turn over forced, 2 Penalties conceded and 8/11 Tackles (20 Points)Lopeti Timani (Rebels) – Played a roll in the Rebels tight win over the Brumbies without being spectacular. In his 60 minutes he managed 7 Runs for 40 metres, 4 Tackle Busts, 1 Offload, 7/7 Tackles, 2 Lineout Takes, 1 Penalty Forced and 1 Yellow Card (32 Points).Sergeal Petersen (Cheetahs) – Couldn’t get in on the try fest against the Chiefs in his 80 minutes, he did however make 8 Runs for 76 metres with 3 Tackle Busts and 1 Offload, 1 Linebreak Create and 4/6 Tackles (30 Points).
Lionel Mapoe (Lions) – Struggled to make an impact in his return, outshone by his centre partner Harold Vorster (18 Points)Ardie Savea (Hurricanes) – Ardie looked off the pace on his return against the Blues this week (19 Points)Jano Vermaak (Stormers) – Failed to make his presence felt (4 points)Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders) – Failed to make an impact after a minute yellow card and concussion in the 21st minute. Scott Robertson expressed his frustration with Seta being listed as concussed despite not getting the chance to complete a concussion assessment (12 points)

New Injuries Round 8:

Shota Emi (Sunwolves) – Fractured rib out until Rd 11, also in the Brave Blossoms squad in the Asian Rugby Championship so he may not be back.Liaki Moli (Sunwolves) – Concussion – Sent home to Japan, likely back after their bye in Rd 13.Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco (Sunwolves) – Concussion.Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders) – Concussion first half, said to be suffering no symptoms so likely back next wk for Rd 9.Michael Fatialofa (Hurricanes) – knee injury – Only news so far is the coach saying it looks serious. Our resident physio has said it is likely the MCL (Best case 4-6wks) or ACL (out for the season).Toni Pulu (Chiefs) – Looks to have injured his right knee when scoring in the 29th min. He did manage to play on until the 65th minute. Watch this space.Mitchell Brown (Chiefs) – Concussion. To be assessed this week.
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs) – Rennie described it as “a smack on the knee” – In doubt for Rd 9.
Oupa Mohoje (Cheetahs) – Back Injury, in doubt for Rd 9.Niel Marais (Cheetahs) – Hard knock to the knee, in doubt for Rd 9.Ox Nche (Cheetahs) – Injured his upper leg, in doubt for Rd 9.Sergeal Petersen (Cheetahs) – Reaggravated his hamstring, in doubt for Rd 9.Israel Folau (Waratahs) – has still not recovered 100 per cent from the virus that nearly sidelined him from the Hurricanes match last round – Expected to play.Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs) – Ruled out for three to six weeks with facial fracture, expected back Rd Rd 12-14.Lopeti Timani (Rebels) – To miss 4 games for kneeing Rory Arnold, Back Rd 13.Ben McCalman (Force) – Shoulder soreness, surely only 1 week. Assumed back Rd 10.Rohan Janse Van Rensburg (Lions) – LCL & Posterolateral corner injury. Out for 12 weeks, Should be the season.Matt Philip (Force) – Foot, no news on return yet.Richie Arnold (Force) – Calf, no news yet.Michael Ruru (Force) – Injured not sure with what.Andries Coetzee (Lions) – Concussion – Started the return to play protocol, aiming to play Rd 9.SP Marais (Stormers) – InjuredJaco Kriel (Lions) – Cited for hitting Rob du Preez in the head with his elbow as he charged down a kick. Cleared to play this week against the Jaguares.Yaw Penxe (Kings) – Concussion – Returned to South Africa earlier in the weekMalcolm Jaer (Kings) – Sustained a knee injury after the Western Force game – No word on a return date yet.Ruaan Lerm (Kings) – Rested or injured? Bracketed on the bench.

Ash Dixon (Highlanders) – Back Injury – potential back for Rd 9.Waisake Naholo (Highlanders) – Hamstring – expected back for Rd 9.Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders) – Hamstring – potential back for Rd 9.Rob Thompson (Highlanders) – On Bereavement leave since Rd 6 following the death of his father. No word on his returnRyan Crotty (Crusaders) – Ankle injury. No announcement but could be back Rd 9-10.Rob Horne (Waratahs) – Expected to play at 13 this week.Tom Robertson (Waratahs) – Expected back from concussion- will play tighthead while Kepu is banned for 1 week.Angus Ta’avao (Waratahs) – Expected back after six months out with injury. Successfully made his comeback through the Shute Shield for Norths. On the bench behind Paddy Ryan.Toby Smith (Rebels) – Hamstring Rd 9-10, away on tour.Josh Mann-Rea (Brumbies) – Recovered quicker than expected, set to start Rd 9.Cobus Wiese (Stormers) – In the squad to tour NZ, should return this week after his Shoulder injury.Uzair Cassiem (Cheetahs) – Knee injury in Rd 2 (MCL Grd 2), likely back Rd 9.Jacobie Adriaanse (Bulls) – Concussion in Rd 7. Back this week for Rd 9.Renaldo Bothma (Bulls) – Red Card rd 4, issued with 4 week ban. Due back Rd 9.Dillon Smit (Lions) – Set to return from a hip injury.Ross Geldenhuys (Kings) – makes a return to the team following a neck spasm Harumichi Tatekawa (Sunwolves) – Knock on the knee. Expected to return this week.

Ongoing Injury List:

NEW ZEALANDNehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes) – Fractured Metatarsals (injured Rd 3). Failed to recover after 4 weeks in the boot, earliest could be Rd 13 but in doubt for the Lions tour (as warned by our resident physio in Rd 3).Dane Coles (Hurricanes) – Calf injury. Unlikely to play Rd 9, should return Rd 11 following the bye.Blade Thomson (Hurricanes) – Shoulder surgery – “two to three weeks away”Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes) – Ongoing concussion symptoms – out for unknown time.Loni Uhila (Hurricanes) – Calf injury – Could be back as early as Rd 9.Nathan Harris (Chiefs) – Return in April from ACL reconstruction. Not in squad for South Africa.Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs) – Dislocated shoulder rd 3. Return end of AprilCharlie Ngatai (Chiefs) – Ongoing concussion symptoms. No eta on his return.Johnny Fa’auli (Chiefs) – Suspended for 4 weeks due to a shoulder charge. Return Rd 10.Ihaia West (Blues) – Ankle injury – will miss the next 4 weeks, expected back Rd 10.Nepo Laulala (Chiefs) – Concussion. Absent from the 3 week touring squad.Digby Ioane (Crusaders) – Re-aggravated his pinky finger injury now requiring an operation. Digby has said he was out for five weeks (back Rd 13) but his coach has said there is no timeframe on his recovery.Israel Dagg (Crusaders) – Patella injury sustained rd 3. Likely back early May.

ARGENTINA/JAPAN
Thomas Lavanini (Jaguares) – ACL reconstruction – expected back 9 months post op (June), although their medical team was targeting March (Take what the Jaguares medical staff say with a grain of salt!)Matias Alemanno (Jaguares) – indirect hit to left shoulder, out for at least Rd 9 & 10.Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Jaguares) – Knee Ligament Damage. Hoping for a return any week now.Manuel Montero (Jaguares) – Reinjured on the road to recovery – we think hamstring?Martin Landajo (Jaguares) – Could be back within the next few weeks – Rd 9-12??